Political Stalemate Could Cost State 2,000 Jobs if Newly Merged Company Opts for Florida

A political stalemate could persuade Office Depot Inc. to move more than 2,000 jobs out of Illinois as lawmakers grouse about the growing number of companies seeking special tax treatment.

The company wants to decide soon where to base its headquarters, after closing its $1.2 billion acquisition of OfficeMax Inc. last week. The choices: Naperville, Ill., where more than 2,000 people work for what was OfficeMax, or Office Depot's home...